Watch out London theatregoers, the Southbank just got that little bit sexier with the arrival of Little Death Club at Underbelly. A smash hit at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Adelaide Fringe, this daring show is here to shock and delight all summer long.
Inspired by the Weimar Republic’s den of iniquity, Little Death Club brings debauchery, amazement and lots of laughs in an intimate club setting. At the helm is formidable kabarett star Bernie Dieter, a striking vision in jet black feathers and spiked heels. Bernie is the real deal – a provocative libertine born in Köln to a family of circus performers, with razor-sharp wit and an air of seduction.
The scene was set from the moment we arrived at the Underbelly spiegeltent, with a glamorous family of misfits prowling around the room and lounging on the stage, set to sleazy rock from the fantastic live band.
Bernie broke the ice with some hilarious audience participation, loosening everyone up as the 60-minutes of decadence got underway. With sultry, theatrical tones, she regaled us with cheeky numbers including a rousing drinking song about her motorcycle-riding grandmother and another about lacklustre sex.
We were swiftly introduced to Myra DuBois, the self-proclaimed ‘songbird of south Yorkshire’, who served up unmistakably Northern humour, roasting a front-row guest for wearing flip flops to the theatre and having a pop at bloggers (it was the press night after all). We were then treated to Myra’s party piece – a pouting solo rendition of I Know Him So Well, famously performed by “Elaine Paige and the other one”.
More than just bawdy comedy, Little Death Club also has some serious acrobatic credentials. Fancy Chance mesmerised with angelic aerial ballet and somehow glided through the air hanging by her hair. Beau Sargent graced the hoop with contortions that had the audience wincing as well as an elegant, poignant piece about gender with stunning vocals from Bernie.
Josh Glanc played a disillusioned French mime longing for real-life sensations, while Kitty Bang Bang’s finale was red hot with some incredible naked fire breathing. It was so intense that you could feel the glow of the flames radiating from the stage.
Little Death Club is a fabulous, gin-soaked feast for the senses and above all, a whole lot of fun. Bernie’s farewell address pointedly reminded us to celebrate difference in a world that wants us to all be the same. I left wishing I could stay in her dazzling club just a little bit longer.
Bernie Dieter’s Little Death Club runs at Underbelly Festival until 29th September. For more information and booking, visit: www.underbellyfestival.com
Chérie City was a guest of Underbelly Festival
All images by Alistair Veryard Photography
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